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Fwd: Experts try to solve meteorite mystery (India)

Indian Express, 31 October 2004 Experts try to solve meteorite mystery Vadodara, October 31: Forensic experts and geologists in village Nandgaon, about 18 kms

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, Nov 1, 2004

Indian Express, 31 October 2004

Experts try to solve meteorite mystery

Vadodara, October 31: Forensic experts and geologists in village Nandgaon,
about 18 kms from the nearest police station in Kaprada, South Gujarat,
are trying to ascertain whether a black stone ? weighing a kg ? which fell
in one of the farms, is a meteorite. Villagers reported a loud bang and
falling of a burning stone in a farm on Sunday evening. The fallen stone
had created a little crater on the ground.

Villages like Nandgaon and Dharampur and other neighbouring villages in
the hilly areas near the Maharashtra-Gujarat border have been experiencing
unseasonal rains for past couple of days. However, on Saturday evening,
the villagers reported hearing a loud bang-like noise and a streak of fire
across the sky. ??The villagers first thought it was an aeroplane or a
fireball, but it turned out to be a black stone which had fallen in a farm
in the village,?? said a Kaprada police station personnel.

With rumours rife that the incident had led to burning of trees and could
be a likely meteor, Kaprada police personnel reached the spot and brought
the stone to the police station. ??It must be some stone boulder which
might have fallen down due to the rains. There are no burnt trees or
anything of sort in the area,?? said Abhaysinh Chudasama, Valsad DSP, who
also visited the village.

Taking no chances, Chudasama added that a geologist from Valsad district
collectorate had been summoned to check the stone.